Thursday, December 04, 2014

Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious viral infection that can affect
several species of food producing birds as well as pet birds and wild
birds. AI viruses can be classified
into two categories: low pathogenicity (LPAI) and highly pathogenic
(HPAI) forms, based on the severity of the illness caused in birds.
Avian influenza viruses, such as the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus
present in Asia, may, on rare occasions, cause disease in humans.
Transmission to humans has occurred through close contact with infected
birds or heavily contaminated environments.
In Canada, highly pathogenic avian influenza and low pathogenicity H5
and H7 avian influenza viruses are considered to be Notifiable Avian
Influenza, which is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act. All cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
More Info at CFIA

Wednesday, December 03, 2014

After testing by the Province of British Columbia, CIFA has confirmed
the presence of H5 avian influenza on two farms in the Fraser Valley; a
turkey farm in Abbotsford and a broiler breeder farm in Chilliwack.

CFIA continues avian influenza investigation in British Columbia

The
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is continuing its investigation
into an outbreak of avian influenza on two farms in British Columbia's
Fraser Valley.
The two farms continue to be under quarantine to control disease
spread, and two additional farms in the Fraser Valley have been placed
under quarantine today. These farms were determined to be at high risk
since they received birds from one of the original farms. Birds on these
new farms were also showing signs of illness.
As avian influenza is highly contagious and can spread rapidly, it is
possible that additional at-risk farms may be identified in the coming
days. Poultry farmers are encouraged to report any suspicious symptoms
to the CFIA.
The CFIA will continue to advise the public and the poultry industry if additional farms are confirmed to be affected.
Testing continues in order to confirm pathogenicity. Results are expected within days.
In the coming days, the CFIA
will humanely euthanize and dispose of all birds on the infected
premises in accordance with provincial environmental regulations and
internationally accepted disease control guidelines.
When animals affected by a disease are ordered destroyed by the CFIA under the Health of Animals Act, the farmer is also informed that they will receive compensation. The CFIA is dedicated to working directly with affected producers so that the compensation process runs as smoothly as possible.
For animals ordered destroyed, the CFIA bases compensation amounts on the animal's market value (up to a maximum amount as stipulated in the Compensation for Destroyed Animals Regulations), taking
into consideration factors such as genetic background, age and
production records. For example, a normal eating chicken is assigned a
rate of $20 per bird, a breeding chicken is $1200 per bird, a turkey is
$70 per bird, and a breeding turkey is $1050 per bird. Please refer to
the Schedule in the Regulations for accurate amounts.
Normally, a producer can expect compensation in 6 to 10 weeks.
Beyond the CFIA's
compensation, other financial assistance may be available through
programs administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and, in some
cases, provincial or territorial governments. Costs and losses
considered by these programs may include business disruption and other
extraordinary costs incurred due to disease.
Avian influenza viruses do not pose risks to food safety when poultry
and poultry products are properly handled and cooked. Avian influenza
rarely affects humans that do not have consistent contact with infected
birds. Public health authorities stand ready to take precautionary
measures as warranted.
The CFIA has
mobilized all available resources to manage this situation. The Agency
continues to work closely with the Province of British Columbia, the
owners of the infected birds, and the poultry industry to manage this
outbreak.

Monday, December 01, 2014

On December 1, the whole world observe World AIDS Day. Mainly to raise awareness of the global impact of HIV/AIDS, to share the pains, achievements of those affected by it, both triumphant and defeated. Most importantly to raise awareness and achieve more positive results in the upcoming year. It is estimated that closer to 35 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. The theme for World AIDS Day 2014 – “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-Free Generation” – reflects the drive to focus on interventions proven to work and to partner with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve control of the HIV epidemic and, ultimately, an AIDS-free generation.